5 reasons Padres will beat the Dodgers

Optimist's Day?

Six games and one measly win into the new season, call it a new beginning. With Magic Johnson smiling his way into town, now's the time to point out his old team pressed reset, multiple times, on its ongoing campaign ... and look where it got those scrappy Lakers, ever so close to capturing an elusive playoff spot in the West. What's to stop the Padres from doing the same? Here, then, are five reasons for cheer on a day that comes just once a year:

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1

Dodgers' ace not so fast

Clayton Kershaw he isn't. Maybe not even Chad Billingsley. Lifetime against the Padres, Dodgers starter Josh Beckett may be 5-2 with a 2.09 ERA, but those shiny numbers come with a caveat: The former ace's average fastball velocity had dropped from 94 in 2009 to 91.2 last season. Last week he opened what's sure to be another frustrating year by balancing the radar gun at a blistering 90.1.

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2

Richard tough at home

Beckett's Padres counterpart, Clayton Richard, had a tough go of it in his season debut, yielding seven runs in New York. Back at Petco, new fences and all, he's much tougher, 19-16 in his career with a 2.82 ERA.

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3

Dodgers' homers down

Through one week, the Padres are last in the majors with one home run. Surprise: The Dodgers aren't much better. Employing Justin Sellers and Luis Cruz in a very expensive lineup, they're tied for 25th with three home runs.

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4

Home is where the fans are

Petco Park is sold out, all those fans clad in blue undoubtedly fostering home-field advantage for those players wearing blue - never mind which fans or which players. Beats playing in echoing Citi Field.